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Bile duct injury : Natural recovery ?

Posted , 7 users are following.

estherpalazzo
estherpalazzo

Hello everyone,

I had my gallbladder removed a year ago after suffering from it for nearly 2 months and loosing 11kg. Doctors couldn't find any stones on the scans but due to my symptoms they had no doubt the gallbladder needed to be removed. I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy the next day and from there my life became hell. I woke up feeling terrible, with extreme pain & nauseas. I was still discharged from the hospital 2 days later despite feeling terrible & resembling a zombie. The day after, I was back to the ER because I couldn't even stand, walk or sit. I was unable to drink or eat and was in extreme pain. I was hospitalized for over a week after that. The MRI showed that there was something wrong with my right bile duct. They thought I had a stenosis at first. In December of that same year I had an ERCP and they've tried putting me a Stent but it was a failure. I was then transfered to an hepatologist surgeon in a tertiary center for rare and complicated hepatic problems. In January of 2020 I received my final diagnosis. The surgeon who removed my gallbladder back in September had cut open my right bile duct either by actually cutting it with its tools or by clipping it. I have lost a total of 26kg in less than 3 months.

Surgeons have told me that they do not wish to perform any reconstructive surgeries on me and would rather wait and hope for a natural recovery. One surgeon told me that he believes that the hepaticojejunostomy woldn't work on me because it seems that I have an anatomic variation of my bile ducts. If a surgery was to be performed it would probably be a partial hepatectomy.

For now I am left alone dealing with the numerous and daily symtoms and feeling weak and unable to work and without understanding what that diagnosis truly means. Surgeons tell me that they can't tell me when will the natural recovery will actually happen because each person is different. It could be months or years. I have CT scans and MRIs done every 3 to 4 months to check on the liver and if the natural healing process has begun or not. (It hasn't yet)

Is any of you in that same situation ? I can't find any information regarding the natural recovery theory.

I am left wondering if my symptoms will ever disappear and if I'll ever be able to get my old and normal life back ?

My symptoms are the following : Nauseas, diarrheas, itching, extreme fatigue, feeling numb & desoriented after even just small efforts, abdominal pain, digestive issues (can't digest any fats at all), liver spams (cramps), acne, fainting.

My doctors also tell me that the diarrheas, acne and the abdominal pain are not related. But they appeared after the surgery. The abdominal pain is so bad that I can't even wear a bra. The diarrheas cause me pain and great discomfort. I am afraid of even leaving my house or hitting the road.

Doctors also have no explanation to give me regarding the spams. Those started after the ERCP back in December and no doctor is able to give me an explanation for them.

Thank you in advance for your help & support,

Esther 😃

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • karol1990
    karol1990 estherpalazzo

    Posted

    Goodevening ! Yes, doctors for some f*****g reason do not admit that the "side effects" are from the removal of the gallbladder.

    For me, after the removal, I suffer from discomfort during the day,diarrhea and I still do not know if it is from bile, on wendsday I am going to have a colonoscopy.

    Your issue needs to be monitored, it sounds quite serious.

    I hope everything goes well soon. I believe that !!

  • livvy20
    livvy20 estherpalazzo

    Posted

    Esther, I am so sorry to read this, what you are going through sounds horrific. It also actually makes me quite cross because bile duct injuries, whilst a small risk factor, can be greatly reduced if surgeons conduct an inter operative choloangiogram which enable them to have a better view of the biliary duct system, in addition to being used to detect stones which have slipped from the gallbladder. This procedure only adds a little extra time, but it is not routinely done and many patients are left unaware of its existence.

    I am sorry that I cannot offer you any information about the natural healing process, but I urge you to push doctors for answers to your questions by insisting on second opinions from other specialists. Once you feel strong and able enough, I also recommend you seek advice about a medical negligence claim against the original surgeon.

    I hope you find the answers you need and I wish you all the best in recovering from this dreadful experience. Take care.

  • brenda42889
    brenda42889 estherpalazzo

    Posted

    My daughter had Duct of Luska leak diagnosed on Hida scan. This is probably what your have. ERCP stent placed.

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